Live Updates: Gov. Romney Campaigns in Springfield

12:16 p.m. - It was a brief campaign stop for Gov. Mitt Romney today in the Springfield area. He concluded his remarks to loud applause from veterans and others in the audience today at the American Legion Post 176. 

Come back to Patch later this afternoon, when we'll have much more on Romney's campaign stop, including a photo gallery, more details on his remarks and response from local Democrats. 

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12:06 p.m. - At the campaign event at the American Legion Post 176 in Springfield today, former Gov. Mitt Romney talked about small businesses in addition to talking about veterans' and military issues. 

In the context of small businesses, Romney said his administration would get rid of "Obamacare" as a way to help small businesses.

Related: Arlington Patch spoke with small business owners to see what they want to hear from President Barack Obama and Romney in the upcoming presidential debates. Read that story here. 

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11:59 a.m. - Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, speaking to veterans this morning in Springfield, said he would like to find waste in the military budget and redirect that money toward helping veterans. 

He also told the crowd he wants to increase our country's active military by up to 50,000 people, according to tweets coming from people at the event..

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11:45 a.m. - Patch editors Susan Larson and James Cullum are inside this morning's event with Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Romney is making a campaign stop Thursday in Springfield in an event billed as "Springfield Veterans for Romney," according to his campaign.

Romney is scheduled to campaign at the American Legion Post 176 at 11:50 a.m. at 6520 Amherst Ave. in Springfield. His vice presidential running mate Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, visited Springfield on Aug. 17.

The American Legion Post event is reportedly by invitation only.